Spring Tour of West Greenland | 8 days | Visiting Ilulissat, Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut

Arriving at Kangerlussuaq & visiting Point 660

You will have your first view of the Greenland Ice Sheet (the second-largest in the world after Antarctica) as we fly over it on our 4.5-hour journey from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq. 

Once we have checked in to our hotel and have had the introductory briefing, we will drive along the longest road in Greenland towards the Ice Sheet. Keep an eye out for musk oxen along the way, as there is quite a large population that roams the Arctic tundra in this area.

At the end of the road is Point 660 - the gateway to a world of ice. Our guide will lead you safely through this alien landscape, pointing out the different features of the Ice Sheet and taking you to incredible viewpoints where you see nothing but ice in every direction.

After a couple of hours, we will return to Kangerlussuaq along the same route.

Flying to the capital and boarding the ferry

Our flight to Nuuk departs after breakfast. After a beautiful glimpse of the impressive Nuuk Fjord and the iconic Sermitsiaq Mountain, we will land and immediately set out on a walking tour of the city. During this excursion, our guide will introduce you to the key sights of Nuuk, including the old Colonial Harbour (home of the National Museum, the Nuuk Local Museum, the hunter's market, and one of the many impressive statues that can be found in the city), and the main pedestrian street where you can find the mall, several shops, and cafes, and the architecturally stunning Katuaq Cultural Centre.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish - perhaps revisiting one of the places already introduced in more detail, exploring Greenlandic art at the Nuuk Art Museum, or shopping for souvenirs in one of the many boutiques.

We will board the Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry for our relaxed journey north towards Ilulissat in the evening. We encourage you to spend as much time watching the scenery from either the rear lounge or one of the decks as we sail along the Greenlandic coastline.

Sailing to Sisimiut

The coastal ferry is exactly that. A ferry that makes short stops at several towns and settlements along the west coast of Greenland. This morning we will stop briefly in Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut, and while we can't disembark, it is always fun to watch the bustle of the harbor and loved ones greeting each other. The landscape between Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut is particularly spectacular, and we encourage you to rug up and head out on deck for the best views.

In the evening, we will arrive in Sisimiut (Greenland's second-largest town) for a longer port of call. Here we have time to visit the museum, located in the heart of the oldest part of town, before re-boarding and continuing our journey north.

Arriving at Disko Bay

We wake up near Disko Bay, and it won't be too long before we start seeing the massive icebergs for which this part of Greenland is famous. We spend the next few hours crossing the enormous bay, passing many of the gigantic ice sculptures and the Icefjord itself as we approach Ilulissat.

Once we've checked into our hotel, and after an introductory briefing, we will head out on a guided tour of Greenland's third-largest town. We will pass by some of the oldest houses in Ilulissat, the famous Zion's Church, and the museum as we orient ourselves with the town and learn a little of its history.

Exploring UNESCO area

This morning we will hike out to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, where we will see more of the enormous icebergs for which Ilulissat is famous. These are stranded on an underwater moraine at the mouth of the fjord and block the passage of ice out into Disko Bay. Occasionally one of them will melt enough to form a hole in the barrier they create across the fjord to release the smaller pieces of ice stuck behind them.

We will also visit the old Sermermiut settlement - a site that has been extremely important to countless generations of Greenlandic people due to its position beside the Icefjord.

You have the afternoon to explore Ilulissat as you wish before we board our cruise for an unforgettable journey through the icebergs in the evening. Seeing these gigantic ice sculptures from the waterline is the only way to appreciate just how big they are.

Free day to explore or visit Ilimanaq settlement

Days 6 and 7 may be swapped due to weather and other scheduling constraints.

One of these days is yours to simply relax at the hotel or explore Ilulissat according to your interests. For example, you may wish to return to the museum, visit the art gallery, enjoy a coffee and cake downtown, go souvenir shopping or hike back out to the Icefjord.

On the other day, we will visit Ilimanaq, a small, still-functioning settlement on the other side of the Icefjord. Traditionally a hunting and fishing community, several of its oldest buildings have been carefully restored, and now tourism also plays an important role. We will spend about 3 hours in Ilimanaq, starting with a guided tour to learn a little about the history and development of the settlement. We will also enjoy tea and coffee and have time for individual exploration before heading back to Ilulissat.

Free day to explore or visit Ilimanaq settlement

If we did not go to Ilimanaq the day before, we will do so today. Otherwise, explore Ilulissat at your leisure, or simply relax at the hotel with its incredible views of Disko Bay and the Icefjord.

During the evening, we will gather in the hotel's high-quality restaurant for a farewell dinner to celebrate our adventures in Greenland.

Traveling home

Today is a day of travel as you return to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq. Although it is time to say goodbye for this trip, we are certain you will return to Greenland in the future - perhaps to enjoy the winter and experience a land covered with snow next time.